Supported Barcode symbologies

Focussing on quality over quantity, this page defines those symbologies that will be supported for best results in pdfToolbox. More symbologies may follow at a later stage, also driven by your feedback/requests. If you think there is something missing from the below list and it might be of interest to you, please let us know by contacting our support.

Supported Barcodes

Code type Notes
EAN 13
EAN 13 is an extension of the UPC-A barcode symbology that usually carries a GTIN-13. Also known as: EAN, UCC-13, European Article Number, International Article Number, JAN, JAN-13, IAN, WPC, SAAN, UCCET, ABAC, BCCI, ICA, MANA, KANC, ANA, ANC.
ISBN
An ISBN barcode is a variant of EAN-13 that is used to identify books. Also known as: ISBN-13, International Standard Book Number, Bookland EAN-13.
Standards: ISO 2108, ISO/IEC 15420, BS EN 797, GS1 General Specifications.
ISMN
Variant of EAN-13 with a prefix 979 that is used to identify printed music. Also known as: International Standard Music Number, ISMN-13. Standards: ISO 10957, ISO/IEC 15420, BS EN 797, GS1 General Specifications
ISSN
An EAN-13 with prefix 977 used to identify periodicals. Also known as: International Standard Serial Number.
Standards: ISO 3297, ISO/IEC 15420, BS EN 797, GS1 General Specifications
EAN 8
EAN 8 is derived from the EAN 13 barcode symbology and is designed for small packaging. It usually carries a GTIN-8. Also known as: UCC-8, JAN-8.
UPC A

The UPC A barcode symbology is used for identification of retail goods at point of sale inside of the US. It usually carries a GTIN-12.

Also known as: UPC, UCC-12, Universal Product Code.

UPC E
UPC E is a compacted form of the UPC-A barcode symbology that usually carries a GTIN-12. tandards: ISO/IEC 15420, BS EN 797, GS1 General Specifications.
CODE 39
Also known as: Code 3 of 9, LOGMARS, Alpha39, USD-3, USS-39. Standards: ISO/IEC 16388, ANSI/AIM BC1 - USS Code 39, BS EN 800, MIL STD 1189
PZN7/PZN8
Used for pharmaceutical products in Germany
CODE 93
Code 93 is a barcode symbology designed in 1982 by Intermec to provide a higher density and data security enhancement to Code 39
Code 128
Alpha-numeric codes supported. Used extensively worldwide in shipping and packaging industries as a product identification code for the container and pallet levels in the supply chain
ITF
Also known as: UPC Shipping Container Symbol, SCS, UPC Case Code. Standards: ISO/IEC 16390, ANSI/AIM BC2-1995 USS, BS EN 801, GS1 General Specifications.
CODABAR
Widely used for applications that require serial numbers, such as management of blood banks, slips for door-todoor delivery services and member cards
RSS 14
GS1 DataBar
RSS_EXPANDED

QR-CODE
Quick Response Code is the trademark for a type of matrix barcode or two-dimensional barcode
Data Matrix
A two-dimensional code consisting of black and white "cells" or dots arranged in either a square or rectangular pattern, also known as a matrix
Aztec Code
 2D barcode.
Standards: ISO/IEC 24778:2008
MaxiCode
Not fully implemented